In this episode, Takema Robinson and guest, Jessica Norwood, founder and CEO of the Runway Project, discuss the concepts of ownership, reparative economics, and black imagination. Jessica emphasizes the importance of creating an economy that serves the many, rather than the few, and explores the idea of ownership as an institutional architecture. Norwood also highlights the need for a reparative approach to money and investment, centering the healing and empowerment of marginalized communities. She shares her work with the Rooted Fund, a national reparative fund, and her involvement in Africa Town, a community focused on economic and environmental justice. Norwood emphasizes the power of imagination and the role of joy in the pursuit of justice. CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Catching Up 04:50 Creating an Economy that Serves the Many 14:27 Reparative Capital: Addressing Historical Marginalization 19:10 Reimagining the Financial System for Inclusivity 36:00 The Power of Black Imagination 40:39 Finding Joy in the Pursuit of Justice 41:55 Centering Joy and Healing in Justice 44:01 Investing in Black Businesses as a Form of Healing 45:53 The Interconnection of Joy, Justice, and the Environment 46:35 5 Takeaways
Host, Takema Robinson, explores the topic of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DE&I) and the backlash happening in this space. Episode 3 guest, Kristi Henderson, shares her personal journey and how she became involved in DE&I work. Kristi discusses the importance of advocating for Black people and communities of color in various industries and the role of black women in creating opportunities for others. Tune in for more: - The intersection of PR, marketing, and social impact, as well as the need for joy and self-care in the face of injustice. -Explore the current state of DE&I efforts, the challenges faced, and the future of DE&I. - The importance of true organizers and activists in driving change and suggested strategies for fortifying advances in DE&I. -The need to redefine joy and find hope in the midst of injustice. Follow the Conversation 00:00 The Importance of DEI and the Backlash 08:48 Black Women as Advocates and Opportunity Creators 15:41 The Intersection of PR, Marketing, and Social Impact 25:29 The Challenges and Setbacks in DE&I Efforts 36:25 Recognizing the Intersections of DE&I with Other Movements 41:27 Strategies for Fortifying Advances in DE&I 45:40 Finding Joy in the Midst of Injustice 47:38 Redefining Joy and Personal Fulfillment 52:16 Legacy Work: Using Skills and Platform for Positive Impact Watch the full video here
This episode of Converge for Change the Business of Social Justice Podcast includes a special guest segment with Lauren Maddox, Co-founder of Due East Partners. Takema and Lauren discuss some of the major pain points experienced today in non-profit and social justice work including one of the most salient, language barriers. The conversation continues live with Nia Davis (Converge College Dean) and Dr. Jennifer Sandoval (Language Expert & Assoc. Professor at the Nicholson School of Communication and Media at the University of Central Florida.) for a deep dive into the power of language and communication from colonial practices, resistance & the culture of fear, to education & understanding. Find out how practitioners are challenging themselves to evolve in our current environment in order to continue moving the needle forward.
Converge for Change: The Business of Social Justice returns for Season 3, LIVE with Sevetri Wilson, Founder & CEO of Resilia and Wall Street Journal Best-selling author of Resilient. Tune in for a great conversation about the historical context of the non-profit sector, how companies like Resilia have used technology to help organizations scale-up, and the role non-profits play in racial equity.
71 days into Biden's administration, Takema sits down, LIVE, with Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson to discuss the first 100 days in office and the role the South has played in saving the US. Ash-Lee Woodard Henderson is a 35-year-old Affrilachian (Black Appalachian), woman from the working class, born and raised in Southeast Tennessee. She is the first Black woman to serve as Co-Executive Director of the Highlander Research & Education Center in New Market, TN. As a member of multiple leadership teams in the Movement for Black Lives (M4BL), Ash-Lee has thrown down on the Vision for Black Lives and the BREATHE Act. Ash-Lee has served on the governance council of the Southern Movement Assembly, the advisory committee of the National Bailout Collective, and is an active leader of The Frontline. She is a long-time activist who has done work in movements fighting for workers, for reproductive justice, for LGBTQUIA+ folks, for environmental justice, and more.
Less than two months in and New Orleans’s new district attorney is making waves. Takema sits down with her dear friend, Flozell Daniels Jr., Transition Co-Chair for the new New Orleans District Attorney's office (and President of Foundation for Louisiana )to talk about the history of the criminal legal system in nola and how this new administration plans to impact real and necessary change for our community.
Takema sits down with Lucecita Castille, Associate Consultant at Converge to discuss White Supremacy Organizational Culture. Through the company's latest initiative, Converge College, this topic is broken down through historical references and timelines dating back to slavery and brought present-day. Join the conversation and get a sneak-peek into the 10-week College module that takes a deeper dive into the steps necessary to restructure and re-create a real anti-racist organization through racial and intersectional equity.
How do you radically change a system? Ask a Black Woman to Lead. Host Takema Robinson, Founder & CEO of Converge, is joined by LaTosha Brown, Co-Founder of Black Voters Matter for a real and personal account of her life, her progression, and lessons learned as a leader and organizer. Hear first-hand stories of what life on the road looks like as a grassroots organization committed to flipping Senate seats and turning Red states Blue, and what philanthropy should understand as they enter new communities. Converge Facebook for full LIVE video
Join Takema and Converge Chief of Staff, Hilary Roach for a conversation about their proprietary and customizable R.I.S.E. (Racial and InterSectional Equity) training, why it's superior to DEI training, when the real work begins, and the pitfalls to beware of when implementing your new tools in the real world.
Kicking off 2021, host Takema Robinson returns with the next episode of Converge for Change: The Business of Social Justice. In this show Takema formally introduces Converge, the social-justice consulting firm she founded in 2014, that is committed to creating a radically just new world through its values: Radical Imagination, Agency, & Collective Action. Tune in as Takema sets the scene for the next few months on the podcast and premieres Converge’s newest initiatives to address racism and systemic oppression including Converge College a 12-week course and its monthly introductory workshop, R.I.S.E. TIME JUMP (2:45) George Floyd, Soho Karen, US Capitol (5:25) Let Us Re-Introduce Ourselves (9:30) As the South Goes, So Goes the Nation (11:12) We’re Bringing It All To the Table (12:27) Beyond the Consulting
Takema Robinson sits down for a LIVE conversation about the criminal legal system ahead of the Orleans Parish District Attorney's Run-Off Election and what a new D.A. means for the city of New Orleans. She is joined by Derwyn Bunton, Chief Public Defender of Orleans Parish (OPDLA), Sarah Omojola Associate Director at The Vera Institute- New Orleans, and Nziki Wiltz of Voice of the Experienced (V.O.T.E)
Takema interviews Kelli King-Jackson (The Simmons Foundation). and Katrina Mitchell (United Way of Greater Atlanta). The conversation explores the hardships of being Black and a women in the industry, the lessons learned in Hurricane Harvey that applied to 2020 -COVID & Hurricane Laura- and asks how real is the profession of philanthropy? Converge, Founded by Takema M. Robinson, in 2016, is a Black woman-owned social-justice consulting firm whose purpose is to accelerate the creation of a radically just new world, where communities of color thrive. The firm uses an organizing framework to shift power so communities of color are self-defined and self-determined. To do this, Converge organizes people and resources to build a robust social justice infrastructure to enable strong leaders, organizations, and movements to grow.
In the first episode of Season 2, Takema interviews Toya Randall, the phenomenal woman behind Voice.Vision.Value. live on the Converge IG. The conversation explores the importance of the role Black women hold in philanthropy along with the hardships of navigating that very system, the need for Black people in hiring positions to step-up and explores the question, does America deserve Black women? Voice. Vision. Value. Black Women Leading Philanthropy is a digital narrative project housed at Foundation for Louisiana. The project celebrates the leadership impact of Black women in professional philanthropy today. It also honors the iconic trailblazers that paved the way for the historic professional community of Black women CEOs, trustees, senior executives, administrative assistants, program officers, grants managers, and program associates across the current talent and leadership pipeline. Converge, Founded by Takema M. Robinson, in 2016, is a Black woman-owned social-justice consulting firm whose purpose is to accelerate the creation of a radically just new world, where communities of color thrive. The firm uses an organizing framework to shift power so communities of color are self-defined and self-determined. To do this, Converge organizes people and resources to build a robust social justice infrastructure to enable strong leaders, organizations, and movements to grow.
Takema begins a new series and taps Stephanie McKee-Anderson, Executive Artistic Director of Junebug Productions (birthed from Free Southern Theater) in New Orleans, La about The Future of Black Arts & Culture in the US. The conversation takes a look at cultural traditions and art forms that connect communities that have been passed down and still allow for performing arts to survive amid a pandemic. Converge for Change: The Business of Social Justice podcast takes a weekly deep-dive into social, racial and economic justice issues and what is really happening behind the scenes as the US struggles through a global health pandemic, COVID-19, and amidst the uprisings across the nation. Be sure to stay connected with #CFCTBoSJ on Instagram, Facebook, and the Converge for Change website. Follow host Takema Robinson on Instagram at @IAmTakema. Don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button on all your favorite podcast platforms!
In this episode, Takema sits down with Edgar Villanueva, social philanthropist, award-winning author of Decolonizing Wealth: Indigenous Wisdom to Heal Divides and Restore Balance and Vice President of Programs and Advocacy at The Schott Foundation for Public Education about the Future of Philanthropy. Converge for Change: The Business of Social Justice podcast takes a weekly deep-dive into social, racial and economic justice issues and what is really happening behind the scenes as the US struggles through a global health pandemic, COVID-19, and amidst the uprisings across the nation. Be sure to stay connected with #CFCTBoSJ on Instagram, Facebook, and the Converge for Change website. Follow host Takema Robinson on Instagram at @IAmTakema. Don't forget to hit that SUBSCRIBE button on all your favorite podcast platforms!
Takema Robinson sits down with Aaron Walker, Founder of Camelback Ventures to continue the conversation in part two of the series, The Future of Black Business to discuss what Black business owners and professionals should be asking for moving forward and how the COVID-19 pandemic and uprisings across the nation further impact the minority-owned business climate.
Takema Robinson interviews Jessica Norwood (Founder of The Runway Project) to discuss the root of the issue for most Black entrepreneurs and business owners, how this further impacts the minority-owned business climate amidst the COVID-19 pandemic and the uprisings across the nation and what this means for the future of Black business.
Takema Robinson discusses and reflects on her travels to Jamaica and the incomparable differences between COVID-19 response in the US and the island. Upon entering the country she is required to download JamCOVID19 and takes to Instagram to discuss the app. The video quickly goes viral changing her course of action during her semi-vacation. In the episode Takema sits down with the app developer, CEO & Founder of The Amber Group, Dushyant Savadia
Takema Robinson interviews Dolfinette Martin and Syrita Steib-Martin of Operation Restoration about race, personal stories of incarceration, the need for someone to speak up for women, and COVID-19 amidst the uprisings of protests across the US.
Takema Robinson interviews Dolfinette Martin and Syrita Steib-Martin of Operation Restoration about race, personal stories of incarceration, the need for someone to speak up for women, and COVID-19 amidst the uprisings of protests across the US.